The best hiking in the Canadian Prairies

Whether it's a trek along rolling hills to the top of the prairies, an expedition to the tundra along the Hudson Bay, or a walk in the heart of the badlands it's time to head out hiking in Saskatchewan and Manitoba!

Saskatchewan

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70 Mile Butte

Grasslands National Park
Length: 4.1km
Time: 1.5 hours
Level of difficulty: Difficult

Challenge yourself to a steep climb up to one of the highest points in Grasslands National Park. Your efforts will be rewarded with sprawling views of the park’s rugged and wild prairie landscape from the top; a sight well-worth the trip! Hike this loop at dawn or dusk to see the sun rise or set over the stunning West Block and feel the wind in your hair as you admire what was widely considered the last frontier of the prairie west.

Valley of 1000 Devils Route

Grasslands National Park
Length: 12km
Time: 4.5 hours
Level of difficulty: Difficult

With the feeling of accomplishment, sweat dripping down your neck and the badlands at your feet, you traverse the East Block wilderness. Watch out for hoo doos and quicksand on your way to the Valley of 1,000 Devils! You and your friends won’t want to put your cameras down as you walk where dinosaurs once roamed.

Valley of 1000 Devils Route

Grasslands National Park
Length: 12km
Time: 4.5 hours
Level of difficulty: Difficult

With the feeling of accomplishment, sweat dripping down your neck and the badlands at your feet, you traverse the East Block wilderness. Watch out for hoo doos and quicksand on your way to the Valley of 1,000 Devils! You and your friends won’t want to put your cameras down as you walk where dinosaurs once roamed.

Narrows Peninsula Trail

Prince Albert National Park
Length: 3km
Time: 2 hours
Level of difficulty: Easy. Some steep sections.

Wander through a lush landscape that brings you into a fairytale-like atmosphere. The trail takes you along a beautiful peninsula that provides plenty of shoreline views of Waskesiu Lake. Take a break on a secluded beach where you can search for the purple sand, a result of the past glacial activity in the area.

Battle Creek Trail

Fort Walsh National Historic Site
Length: 6.5 km
Time: 2 hours
Level of difficulty: Moderate

Follow the varied terrain of the Battle Creek Trail to the location of the 1873 Cypress Hills Massacre. Now a national historic site, these beautiful lands are the location of a dark and little known part of Canadian history and are sacred to the Nakoda people. Admire the roaming wild horses and outstanding views of Fort Walsh as you enjoy a picnic lunch under the covered shelter or rest in a Parks Canada red chair found en route.

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Explore using Google Street View

Battle Creek Trail

Fort Walsh National Historic Site
Length: 6.5 km
Time: 2 hours
Level of difficulty: Moderate

Follow the varied terrain of the Battle Creek Trail to the location of the 1873 Cypress Hills Massacre. Now a national historic site, these beautiful lands are the location of a dark and little known part of Canadian history and are sacred to the Nakoda people. Admire the roaming wild horses and outstanding views of Fort Walsh as you enjoy a picnic lunch under the covered shelter or rest in a Parks Canada red chair found en route.

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Carlton Trail

Batoche National Historic Site
Length: 800m
Time: 15 minutes
Level of difficulty: Easy

Take a step back in time and journey along the remains of the red river cart trail that was once the main trading route between Fort Garry and Fort Edmonton. The trail straddles the East Village of Batoche on its journey towards the old ferry crossing of the South Saskatchewan River – a fantastic place for a picnic or to launch your canoe or kayak adventure. Canoe/kayak rentals available.

Stueck Nature Walk Trail

Motherwell Homestead National Historic Site
Length: 1.5km
Time: 20-30 minutes
Level of difficulty: Easy

A little trek to a beautiful waterfowl paradise! An aluminum dock, rest area and picnic tables provide an inviting area to sit and enjoy a peaceful prairie oasis. This trail takes you through a farmer’s field to a nearby wetland area with a variety of birds and an observation platform. Enjoy some field to fork food at the Motherwell Homestead and then access the trail from the picnic area near the parking lot.

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Explore using Google Street View

Stueck Nature Walk Trail

Motherwell Homestead National Historic Site
Length: 1.5km
Time: 20-30 minutes
Level of difficulty: Easy

A little trek to a beautiful waterfowl paradise! An aluminum dock, rest area and picnic tables provide an inviting area to sit and enjoy a peaceful prairie oasis. This trail takes you through a farmer’s field to a nearby wetland area with a variety of birds and an observation platform. Enjoy some field to fork food at the Motherwell Homestead and then access the trail from the picnic area near the parking lot.

Manitoba

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Lakeshore Trail

Riding Mountain National Park
Length: 5km (one-way)
Time: 1 hour
Level of difficulty: Easy

Hike or bike your way along the shores of Clear Lake, Riding Mountain’s biggest and most popular lake. Find a set of red chairs with an amazing view of the water, and find hidden beaches along the way. In the winter, grab your skis or snowshoes and get a whole new view of a frozen Clear Lake.

Bald Hill Trail

Riding Mountain National Park
Length: 9.5km (one-way)
Time: 4 - 6 hours
Level of difficulty: Difficult

Admire the view from the top of the prairies. Bald Hill Trail is situated in the Manitoba Escarpment, an area of rolling hills, steep climbs, and epic pay offs. Hike your way to the top or bike most of the way there. Don’t forget your camera, because no one will believe these landscape are in Manitoba.

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Explore using Google Street View

Bald Hill Trail

Riding Mountain National Park
Length: 9.5km (one-way)
Time: 4 - 6 hours
Level of difficulty: Difficult

Admire the view from the top of the prairies. Bald Hill Trail is situated in the Manitoba Escarpment, an area of rolling hills, steep climbs, and epic pay offs. Hike your way to the top or bike most of the way there. Don’t forget your camera, because no one will believe these landscape are in Manitoba.

Gorge Creek Trail

Riding Mountain National Park
Length: 6.4km (one-way)
Time: 2 hours
Level of difficulty: Difficult

Are you ready for something that has been thousands of year in the making? Hike through the boreal forest, climb along the rocky Manitoba Escarpment, then relax at the end with your feet in a creek. Bring a friend and leave a 2nd car at the end, or double your work out by hiking back on this one way trail.

Sloop Cove Hike

Prince of Wales Fort National Historic Site
Length: 4km
Time: 3 hours
Level of difficulty: Easy-Moderate

Follow in the footsteps of 18th century Hudson’s Bay Company men that once inhabited Prince of Wales Fort. Spot their signatures carved into the stone. Hear their stories from an experienced Parks Canada guide. Explore the tundra blooming with wildflowers along the shores of Hudson Bay. Remember your camera to snap photos of seabirds, shorebirds and beluga whales that can be seen in the waters.

Explore using Google Street View

Explore using Google Street View

Sloop Cove Hike

Prince of Wales Fort National Historic Site
Length: 4km
Time: 3 hours
Level of difficulty: Easy-Moderate

Follow in the footsteps of 18th century Hudson’s Bay Company men that once inhabited Prince of Wales Fort. Spot their signatures carved into the stone. Hear their stories from an experienced Parks Canada guide. Explore the tundra blooming with wildflowers along the shores of Hudson Bay. Remember your camera to snap photos of seabirds, shorebirds and beluga whales that can be seen in the waters.